RegioStars Awards

RegioStars Awards identify good practices in regional development and highlight original and innovative projects that are attractive and inspiring to other regions.

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Winners of the RegioStars Awards 2017

On Tuesday evening the European Commission's RegioStars Awards ceremony took place in Brussels as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities.

This annual EU-wide competition puts the spotlight on the most innovative and inspiring EU funded projects and illustrates, through concrete real-life examples, how Cohesion Policy supports people's lives through the creation of economic growth and jobs at a regional level.

In addition to bringing recognition to the selected projects, it aims to foster the exchange of best practices between Cohesion Policy practitioners, as well as to inspire other project managers and managing authorities.

The 24 selected finalists come from regions and cities in 20 Member States and one neighbouring country: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom and many of them address common challenges through cooperation across borders.

A five country-partnership of bio-innovation experts could be crucial to Europe replacing non-renewable resources and developing the bio-based economy. The Bio Base NWE project supported the increased commercialisation of innovation to make North-West Europe a leading player in the emerging bio-economy. This was possible with the cooperation of partners from regions in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The city of Ii in Finland cut its CO² emissions by half during 2007-15 - the fastest rate in the country. The InnoHiili project is helping the city reach the Finnish Environment Institute’s target of an 80% emissions cut by 2030. But Ii plans to do it 10 years faster thanks to cooperation with all citizens.

A network of centres in Murcia, Spain supports female victims of gender-based violence. The regional employment and training service gives similar assistance. A project to improve coordination between them ensures more personalised support and a single point of contact.

A green project in the largely rural Split-Dalmatia region of Croatia is showing young people that they do not have to move to the city to enjoy a bright future.

The EkoBiz project was so popular it exceeded its expectations to train 25 young people in organic farming practices. More than 70 people ended up taking the training and were helped to develop viable business plans.

A project based in Germany is harnessing an array of IT technologies to help elderly people stay in their own homes for longer. The all-in system should take the pressure off hard-pressed care workers and health providers.

Smart Service Power is looking to integrate functions from the fields of e-health, smart homes, ambient assisted living, emergency call systems and concierge services. The resulting ‘internet-of-things’ platform will make it possible to monitor an elderly individual’s condition and help them live life to the fullest.